Wai Wai Ice Cream Shoppe

1 Reviews on “Wai Wai Ice Cream Shoppe”

• 53Lunches.com

  Another jaw-dropping find in Chinatown.I’ve mentioned a few times in the blog about restaurants that I’ve walked by many times and never committed to trying for one reason or the other. Well, Wai Wai is a place that I’ve walked by and never even noticed before a friend pointed it out to me.In the middle of a residential block on Oxford Street between Beach and Essex Streets, this tiny subterranean spot is wedged between two Asian hair salons and down several steps from the sidewalk.Today 2 colleagues met me for the Wai Wai experience.Once inside the tiny, dark restaurant you will feel like you’ve stepped into another world.Six or seven tables are crammed into the dusky interior with its peeling wallpaper, cluttered notices and grandma printed plastic table cloths. There is not a word of english anywhere but it is clear what is on the menu here. A brightly lit glass warming case displays the 4 choices of Asian BBQ. Pork, Duck, Chicken & Beef. The beautifully colored prizes hanging from hooks for your inspection. We were each served a simple glass of tea as we considered what to order. The specialty is rice plate with one of the 4 meats chopped into bite size pieces and placed on top of warm rice. A single meat choice is $5.00 and if you want two choices, $5.50.I decided on the combo of Duck and Pork. We were first served a small bowl of chicken broth with slivered chicken and each bowl contained a recognizable piece of a chicken foot.The broth was delightful and nicely flavored without being salty as I expected. Careful for the bones. The chicken foot imparted the proper fat content to make the broth substantial and whether it was simply for flavor or not, I chose to nibble at the meat.A steady yet manageable stream of locals entered and exited as we ate. The friendly staff greeting each person.The restaurant has such an authenticity that is impossible to duplicate. From the rips in the table cloths to the odd collection of castaway chairs, this is the type of place that Hollywood directors would try to recreate on a set and would wonder why it didn’t feel right.Our entres were delivered and their simplicity was fantastic. A more than generous portion of chopped meat, crispy golden skin luring me to indulge, sat on top of a bed of freshly made white rice. Other than a small amount of chopped scallion, that was it and that’s all it needed to be. I wanted to devour it all in a single bite but calmed down to photograph the meal.I indulged in several small spoonfuls of supplied hot sauce and dove it. Incredible!The stars aligned at that moment for me and nothing was better in life that dish. The meat was moist and seasoned perfectly. The subtle juices mingling with the hot sauce began to coat the rice, creating a true taste sensation. I loved it! I was enjoying each mouthful while also distressing that there was less and less on my plate. Wai Wai was once a very popular ice cream shop and they still sold it as dessert. Not today though, but perhaps next visit.This place, more than nearly any I’ve been to is one to leap out of your comfort zone and just dive in. It would be intimidating to the non-venturesome eater, but trust me, it will be worth it. It’s one of those places where you feel like you’re truly part of a city neighborhood and experiencing that for all it’s worth. No poo-poo platter and crab rangoon can come close to this legitimate experience.The check came and that was another thrill. The three of us filled up on an awesome meal for a total of $16.00. Totally worth the 8 minute or so walk to Chinatown.

  April 3, 2009, 2:54 pm

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